GKN Sinter Metals Recognized for Conservation

Organization(s)

Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance

Project Description

On January 9, 2004, Environmental Affairs Secretary Ellen Roy Herzfelder and Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) Director Paul Richard recognized GKN Sinter Metals Corporation, located in Worcester, MA, for proactive steps taken to reduce the total amount of fresh water consumption at its facilities. Since implementing an on-site pretreatment and recycling operation, GKN Sinter Metals has reduced total fresh water consumption by eight million gallons per year.

In 1994, GKN Sinter Metals Corporation added a water pre-treatment and recycling system to their manufacturing operations. In addition to significant reductions in fresh water use, the company also reduced their soap consumption by 6,000 gallons per year. Copper, fats, oils, and grease were also reduced to levels below the limits established by the local publicly-owned treatment works (POTW). The installation of the pretreatment system resulted in a financial savings of nearly $80,000 per year.